Energy Storage Study: Funding and Knowledge Sharing Priorities

The role of enabling technologies such as energy storage is becoming more important as Australia moves towards higher penetrations of intermittent renewable generation such as solar and wind power. Some parts of Australia are already experiencing the technical limitations of intermittent renewables, leading to emerging power quality issues or curtailment of renewables. If ARENA is to continue supporting the growth of Australia’s renewables market efficiently and at lowest cost, it is important to support the development of new markets for enabling technologies. Energy storage is perhaps the most significant enabling technology, providing the ability to both smooth and shift renewable generation to match demand profiles.

AECOM has reviewed ten leading international energy storage markets, including the United States (California, Hawaii, Texas and New York), China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, United Kingdom and Italy.